Showing papers in "European Journal of Innovation Management in 2000"
TL;DR: An integrated process model for innovative product development by incorporating Kano’s model and the quality function deployment (QFD) technique is proposed and analyses suggest that the proposed approach would contribute to the creation of attractive product attributes and product innovation.
Abstract: Under rapidly changing and highly competitive circumstances, the timely design, development and marketing of new products or services with creative and innovative features are essential for a company’s survival. In order to capture and retain market share, customer requirements and expectations should be met and exceeded through product innovation. For effective new‐product‐development project management, a systematic approach to understanding customer requirements and further embedding them into the future product is desirable. This paper analyses the notion of customer satisfaction based on the Kano model and points to the importance of product innovation in exceeding customer satisfaction. It further proposes an integrated process model for innovative product development by incorporating Kano’s model and the quality function deployment (QFD) technique. Analyses suggest that the proposed approach would contribute to the creation of attractive product attributes and product innovation.
290 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the challenges facing the computer and electronic equipment sector and the movement to a solutions innovation paradigm are examined and a new paradigm of competitiveness, namely solutions innovation, is proposed.
Abstract: Organisations have traditionally employed new product development frameworks to increase the effectiveness of their innovation programmes. These strategies have worked in the past but are increasingly being challenged by developments in the marketplace and technologies. This has led firms in some sectors to move to a new paradigm of competitiveness, namely solutions innovation. This paper examines the challenges facing the computer and electronic equipment sector and the movement to a solutions innovation paradigm.
257 citations
TL;DR: The authors examines the concept of brand loyalty and discusses the various issues connected with brand loyalty, discusses cross-cultural views on brand loyalty throughout the world, and illustrates the proliferation of global brand loyalty across international frontiers.
Abstract: In today’s global market, a brand’s marketing strategy must go head‐to‐head, not only with regional or national brands, but also with international competitors’ marketing strategies. This adds an entirely new dimension to a company’s marketing strategy when it comes to identifying, attracting, and retaining a market. This paper examines the concept of brand loyalty, discusses the various issues connected with brand loyalty, discusses cross‐cultural views on brand loyalty throughout the world, and illustrates the proliferation of brand loyalty across international frontiers.
131 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors search for an answer to how many innovation projects succeed, how many fail, and what are the differences between innovation projects that succeed and those that fail.
Abstract: Continued innovation of products, services, technology and the organization itself, is one way to keep a business on its feet during these turbulent times. The importance of innovation – the process during which leap‐changes are effected – is generally recognized. However, in practice, the successful conclusion of a total innovation project is by no means matter‐of‐course. Many innovations end in failure. Research in the USA raises the questions of how successful Dutch companies and their managers are in terms of innovation. How many innovation projects succeed, how many fail? This study searches for an answer to this question. The logical next question then is, what are the differences between innovation projects that succeed and those that fail? In short, what are the factors that lead to success, and which factors lead to failure in the projects examined?
120 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report the efforts of six British small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their new product development (NPD) capabilities, finding that managers consistently deprioritised work on NPD when faced with other shorter-term pressures.
Abstract: Reports the efforts of six British small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their new product development (NPD) capabilities. Finds a strong recognition by managers of “the need for NPD” yet they consistently deprioritised work on NPD when faced with other shorter‐term pressures. The involvement of manufacturing managers was limited in their firms’ NPD activities. What involvement there was occurred late in the process. Identifies a major problem in terms of the lack of information available, with only a few of the firms recording the activities undertaken in the NPD process. This has a number of serious consequences; it was difficult to compare their performance with other firms and they did not have the information needed to improve systematically their systems and procedures. In those firms that did maintain records, their record keeping was limited. Much of what was recorded had little value, as it was not used systematically to improve performance. This shortage of suitable information also hindered the ability of management to learn and thus improve future generations of new products.
85 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used data from 233 Spanish SMEs in order to test three alternative models regarding how psychological characteristics and strategic process affect organisational success: first, the individual model according to which the manager's psychological characteristics entirely account for company performance; second, the process model, whereby strategic process directly contributes towards explaining organizational success; and third, the mediating model where the manager’s characteristics affect company success through their influence on strategic process.
Abstract: This research work uses data from 233 Spanish SMEs in order to test three alternative models regarding how psychological characteristics and strategic process affect organisational success: first, the individual model according to which the manager’s psychological characteristics entirely account for company performance; second, the process model, whereby strategic process directly contributes towards explaining organisational success; and third, the mediating model where the manager’s characteristics affect company success through their influence on strategic process. From the study it is concluded that the manager’s traits indirectly affect success through process and that this process has a direct influence on success, although we also observed the direct influence of manager’s characteristics on company success.
71 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated two potential subscribers' decisions, using the graphic device of a price/acceptance function and a charge/payment function, to decide whether to buy telecommunication products (accepting the purchase price) or to use these products and accept the charges for using the product.
Abstract: Success in innovation management of telecommunication products depends not only on sales, but also, and primarily so, on actual call times by subscribers (e.g. on their mobile phones). It is not only the purchase price that plays a major role for this type of service, but also call and rental charges. This study investigates two potential subscribers’ decisions, using the graphic device of a price/acceptance function and a charge/acceptance function. The first decision is to buy telecommunications products (accepting the purchase price), and the second decision is to use these products (accepting the charges for using the product). In particular, an attempt is made to describe the general profile of the price/acceptance function through considerations of plausibility. Based on an empirical experiment, conclusions are drawn for the pricing policy of telecommunication products, which point to abandoning fixed basic charges and to giving away end‐user sets (e.g. mobile phones) free of charge.
69 citations
TL;DR: An overview of a generic framework is presented that serves to highlight the essential components to makesuch a system work and the types of benefits that can be derived from such a system, as well as the limitations and shortcomings of such approaches in practice.
Abstract: Modern organisations have approached the challenge of innovation by attempting to develop frameworks for new product development. Whilst many organisations have attempted some degree of customisation of these innovation frameworks, most of them retain features of a common skeleton. Indeed in generic terms innovation methodologies exhibit a high degree of similarity. In this paper, presented is an overview of a generic framework that serves to highlight the essential components to make such a system work. The paper goes on to indicate the types of benefits that can be derived from such a system, as well as the limitations and shortcomings of such approaches in practice.
56 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify groups of homogeneous enterprises with regard to their market orientation degree to see if the identified groups differ significantly in the competitive strategy mainly followed by their members and, also, in their economic profile.
Abstract: Aims to interrelate two lines of research: market orientation and strategic groups identification. Suggests that degree of market orientation of an enterprise should be connected to its competitive strategy and, also, to its final levels of performance. Identifies, in a highly competitive Spanish sector, groups of homogeneous enterprises with regard to their market orientation degree to see if the identified groups differ significantly in the competitive strategy mainly followed by their members and, also, in their economic profile. Uses cluster methodology and the analysis of variance. Also applies multidimensional scaling to visually represent the position of each enterprise in a perceptual space. Recommends some guides to get a market orientation status and also a competitive position in the competitive space.
50 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that conventional tools guiding innovation processes inadequately analyse problems arising from blending telematics with public service integration in areas of complex service provision, and use Molina's diamond of alignment, and Nicoll's contextual usability conceptual approaches to analyse a case study on the introduction of smart housing in West Lothian, Scotland.
Abstract: The paper argues that some conventional tools guiding innovation processes inadequately analyse problems arising from blending telematics with public service integration in areas of complex service provision. Also uses Molina’s diamond of alignment, and Nicoll’s contextual usability conceptual approaches to analyse a case study on the introduction of smart housing in West Lothian, Scotland.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the role of sales managers and salespeople in new product launch, particularly with respect to its relation with performance in newproduct selling, and find that product newness to the firm, market volatility, resource inadequacy and behavior reward are related inversely to new product selling performance.
Abstract: Although several studies have suggested that the salesforce is a major contributing factor to new product success, few studies have focused on the role of sales managers and salespeople in new product launch, particularly with respect to its relation with performance in new product selling. This article decribes the results of an empirical investigation into the determinants of new product selling performance. The results show that product newness to the firm, market volatility, resource inadequacy and behavior reward are related inversely to new product selling performance, whereas feedback provided by the sales manager, new product complexity, salesforce new product selling experience and output reward are related positively to sales performance.
TL;DR: In this article, a semi-structured interview with R&D and marketing managers of major international pharmaceutical companies was conducted to find out how the companies integrate marketing and research in the formulation of product development strategy.
Abstract: Reports exploratory research focusing on this neglected area based on semi‐structured interviews with R&D and marketing managers of major international pharmaceutical companies. Major findings include the fact that few of the responding companies integrate marketing and R&D in the formulation of product development strategy which is a considerable source of resentment between the marketing and R&D functions. Also, whilst the move from functional specialisation to cross‐functional therapeutic teams is effective in focusing NPD activity and delivering projects on time, they ignore innovative opportunities that are not directly related to the project. External specialist companies are an increasingly important source of innovation and the ability to manage them effectively is essential for maintaining competitive advantage in the pharmaceutical industry.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore whether and how a certain managerial/organisational style relates to the type of the R&D process (which varies from industry to industry) and to the different nature of the research activities.
Abstract: This paper aims to understand whether there are different styles of organisation and management of industrial R&D activities Recent cases of re‐organisation of R&D activities within firms suggest that: R&D activities tend to be carried out in different units of the same organisation and often in different locations, and there seem to be inter‐industry differences among R&D processes This paper attempts to explore whether and how a certain managerial/organisational style relates to the type of the R&D process (which varies from industry to industry) and to the different nature of the R&D activities It also identifies the key characteristics of the R&D organisation and the strategic management of technology, associated with each style The analysis is based upon an empirical study of 19 multinationals operating in various industrial sectors A classification of the types of R&D process is adopted and the key characteristics of R&D management and organisation in each R&D type are described and discussed
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of questions/statements are developed which help managers to fine-tune their strategic transformation skills and these are interlinked and combine to form a strategic transformation framework.
Abstract: This article considers strategic transformation and how organisations can learn to become better at strategically transforming themselves over time. Two case studies are considered, Marks & Spencer and Intel, and these provide two contrasting examples of how organisations can either be reactive or proactive in managing strategic transformation. The article argues that in order for strategic transformation to become an art it must become part of the unconscious competence mindset of the organisation. A number of questions/statements are developed which help managers to fine‐tune their strategic transformation skills and these are interlinked and combine to form a strategic transformation framework. Thus, the article intends to be of practical use to managers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the findings of an exploratory case-based research investigation into service innovations launched by Cypriot financial institutions across three or more foreign country markets and show that on-time introduction of service innovations rely heavily on: service innovation synergies with existing operations; sufficiency of marketing resources; extensive use of soft integrating organizational mechanisms; and proficiency in the development process.
Abstract: Little research has focussed on launch of service innovations across international markets. The determinants of timeliness (conversely, delays) in the launch of service innovations across multiple country markets has equally received little attention in the literature. This paper reports on the findings of an exploratory case‐based research investigation into service innovations launched by Cypriot financial institutions across three or more foreign country markets. The analysis shows that on‐time introduction of service innovations rely heavily on: service innovation synergies with existing operations; sufficiency of marketing resources; extensive use of “soft” integrating organizational mechanisms; and proficiency in the development process. External environmental elements, including market heterogeneity and extensive competition have a lesser impact on the timeliness of such multi‐country introductions. Several propositions are forwarded for further investigation.
TL;DR: This paper takes a look at how four firms go about integrating their product and technology development and serves as the basis of a model for this kind of integration and a general definition of possible means for integrating product andTechnology development.
Abstract: Increasing competition at product, firm, and industry level makes it more and more important to be able to develop new products and – at the same time – develop the necessary new technologies for producing those new products. In this paper we shall take a look at how four firms go about integrating their product and technology development. This serves as the basis of a model for this kind of integration and a general definition of possible means for integrating product and technology development.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe an informal process of new product innovation that took place outside of the established structures in a large Swedish telecom company; how a number of individuals brought a product idea from invention to innovation by creating and enabling an informal competence network within the company.
Abstract: This article describes an informal process of new product innovation that took place outside of the established structures in a large Swedish telecom company; how a number of individuals brought a product idea from invention to innovation by creating and enabling an informal competence network within the company. The purpose of the article is to bring out a number of insights into how “networked innovation” might be accomplished and supported, by elaborating this case and pointing to some of its management implications.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine changes in interorganizational relationships in the specific context of the food packaging machinery industry and evaluate the impact of a set of factors characterizing the competencies which subcontractors must have in order to succeed in this industry.
Abstract: This study examines changes in inter‐organizational relationships in the specific context of the food packaging machinery industry. The study presented in this paper has a twofold aim. First, to investigate how and to what extent the type of buyer‐supplier relationship is associated with specific supplier profiles (in terms of the technological as well as organizational set of competencies and skills). Second, to indicate the attributes of the best‐performing suppliers from the different groups identified. The study is based on a survey performed on 111 subcontractor firms located in northern Italy. More specifically, the study aims at evaluating the impact of a set of factors characterizing the competencies which subcontractors must have in order to succeed in this industry.
TL;DR: This paper illustrates how a chain of “state‐space” models can be formed, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), which can pertain to existing complex practical manufacturing circumstances in an objective manner.
Abstract: Ever since the bronze age, graphical representations have been employed to convey a message or a phenomenon. Graphical representations have been and continue to be a powerful tool to record events and changes throughout history. It is often helpful to use conceptual models to visualise problems, and in order to find possible solutions. Manufacturing planning and control (MPC) as a discipline is no exception to this rule. Many useful methods/models in this field including Gantt charts, CPM, PERT, and fishbone diagrams have been employed. However, representing complex multi‐variate problems through ordinary conceptual models can be quite arduous and the results may not be objectively accurate. This paper illustrates how a chain of “state‐space” models can be formed, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), which can pertain to existing complex practical manufacturing circumstances in an objective manner.